2021 Grade 12 DP Art Exhibition
A culmination of two years of work, the Diploma Programme Art Exhibition is a showcase of creation and inquiry in multiple mediums. Hear from the artists, see their works, and read their statements. Here are six of our eight Grade 12 student art exhibitions, presented online.
A Designer's Dish
My intentions are to juxtapose two personal experiences: the tradition of eating hot pot on a winter’s night, and my passion for fashion design. The background to foreground composition is simple, highlighting details within each sewing supply disguised as food. I attempted to create a playful mood, using a bold colour palette with neutral tones to form a cohesive composition. The red thread, representative of noodles, lengthens and leads the eye towards the feast inside the pot.
Conversation
My inspiration arose from the way people communicate. I investigated the shapes of sound waves and their vibrations. Conversation, a tale told between two individuals who come together to understand each other’s perspectives.
I crafted a narrative between a selective mute and a visually impaired, who face their respective communicative difficulties. Their efforts transcend all barriers, arriving at a place where comfortable and free-flowing words are exchanged, represented as a 3D fashion form.
Conversation (Photograph)
My inspiration arose from the way people communicate. I investigated the shapes of sound waves and their vibrations. Conversation, a tale told between two individuals who come together to understand each other’s perspectives.
I crafted a narrative between a selective mute and a visually impaired, who face their respective communicative difficulties. Their efforts transcend all barriers, arriving at a place where comfortable and free-flowing words are exchanged, represented as a 3D fashion form.
Hold My Hand
An allusion for the desire for freedom; the growth and journey that never ends. I painted freesia flowers as they are a symbolic representation of freedom. Blaue Blume is a metaphor for the desire to obtain the infinite and unreachable.
I contoured the hands using a monochromatic scale, emphasizing shadows with thin strokes of ultramarine blue. Like flowers, the hands will blossom after they have reached peak maturity, and wither away before reaching the end.
Home
This piece expresses what it means to leave home and begin a new journey. The water strokes stemming from the paddles, range from small to big ripples that separate towards the edges of the composition, bringing attention towards the subject: the kayaking girl.
The black background serves as a contrasting colour that crisply defines the edges of each ripple. This piece signifies that no matter where one travels, behind them there is always a home.
Hyperthymesia
This piece demonstrates the unravelling emotions of people who suffer from Hyperthymesia. As a 3D fashion form, the wearer is surrounded by these shreds of memories, following each movement of the person like a shadow.
A clear vinyl subtly outlines and guides attention towards the drapes of red string, each thread individually sewn on in a braille pattern. Read vertically and horizontally, the pattern details how Hyperthymesia’s beheld glory is not the ideal that people commonly mistake it for.
Resilience
This fashion collection is inspired by doctors who work endlessly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The colour palette was determined by the standard uniform medical staff wear. I experimented with different fabric opacities and layering techniques; explored line, shape, and texture in fabric prints.
The print consists of an abstract line drawing of doctors’ silhouettes through various-sized strokes. I designed and printed the textile, using it as a repeating element throughout my collection.
Resilience (Photograph)
This fashion collection is inspired by doctors who work endlessly amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The colour palette was determined by the standard uniform medical staff wear. I experimented with different fabric opacities and layering techniques; explored line, shape, and texture in fabric prints.
The print consists of an abstract line drawing of doctors’ silhouettes through various-sized strokes. I designed and printed the textile, using it as a repeating element throughout my collection.
Sedna
Inspired by the Inuit myth, “The Legend of Sedna”, the composition represents the moment when Sedna is betrayed by her father, who pushes her into the sea in desperation of saving himself.
By diluting the pigments with water, I created various colour intensities, emphasizing two points of focus by contrasting warm and cool tones. Sedna’s hair is representative of the water and her blood, which transforms into whales as she sinks to the bottom of the sea.
Stairway of Memories
I used corrugated cardboard and cut out shapes that resemble a viscous form, layering them onto one another to represent a drop of liquid weighing down the sufferer’s mind.
The weight of these memories becomes a burden, where people struggle to hang on in the never-ending flood that moves faster than they can cope with. The once delicate colour of red slowly becomes muddied by darkness, when people who develop Hyperthymesia realize that their ‘ability’ is not all fun and games as they are told.
Starlight Sea
A fauvist take on a sea scenery, I used bold, contrasting colours to draw attention to lines and repeating patterns in the intentionally cramped composition. To harmonize complementary colours, I mixed them together to create subtitles hues of oranges and aquamarine.
Unconventional elements, such as eyes are integrated into the seaweed and sea urchin shells. This conceptualization adds another layer of interest, crafting a narrative of the alive sea.
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And?
This piece was created to show how my character would show himself when he learns to become his true self, acceptant of his past. The pearls on his sleeves show the true beauty of himself. The flowers were also symbolic as well. By using real hydrangea flowers that represent humbleness and sadness, I wanted to show that he learns to accept who he is.
By cutting out certain words and flowers out of newspaper, I showed how he learns to accept the criticism he faces from others and move on.
blooming
This watercolour piece signifies the rebirth of my character into a new self. The outfit is colored blue and white, to represent the purity and beauty of my character. He is in an open field with blue skies which represent the possibilities of the world. The flowers such as the lilies represent rebirth and purity, the delphiniums show joy, and the daffodils signify a beginning. Finally, the log in the center shows how everything changes.
This was also a comparison to “To: Me in the future”.
Emergency
My character is in a state of complete chaos, with emotions overruling him. This is seen in the wire that contains him, and the half-jacket that is falling apart. He is missing one shoe, and on the sole of the other, it says “WHY”. Finally, the red film that covers him is pressing down on him, and the color represents the dire situation. The color also masks the true colors of the piece.
Although the jacket is pink, it shows as a shade of red. This shows how emotions have taken control of him.
Escapism
In this piece, I painted my character wearing a dark shirt and an oversized jacket with puffs representing clouds. I also gave him large sneakers with rainbow laces. In the background, I depicted a starry sky transitioning to bright clouds.
I tried to convey the idea of escaping reality and the inability to do so. By showing my character falling out of the sky, I wanted to convey the false dreams he sees are unachievable and that he needs to face his past and his true self.
I Don’t Have That Time or Space
In the background, I drew lines to represent the passing of time. To contrast, I drew my character holding heavy luggage in intense colors. Even though my character is trying his best, he feels everyone around him is better, and that he has so many things to do.
Additionally, through the jewels on his sleeves, I represented how beauty expectations also place weight on his shoulders. The keys hanging from the backpack show responsibility, and the watches on his wrist represent his need for time.
I’M HERE
My character has the desire to be noticed by the people around him, but he is afraid of the responses. Because of this he tries to hide and appear bolder, more perfect than he is. This is shown through the orange tulle over his face, and over the “I’M HERE” on his shirt.
There are random cuts on his pants representative of the pain he feels, but this too is hidden by the orange sleeves. He is depicted as if he is sinking into the sofa, to highlight that he cannot stand up for himself.
Realization
My character comes to a realization that everything is going to be alright. One of his eyes are opened, signifying the moment in which he sees his possibilities. The lock pendant is unlocked. He is no longer holding on to the teardrop necklace, and another necklace is ripped.
They show the parting from sadness and becoming free. His nails are painted a dark navy with stars and planets, as a depiction of outer space. This can be a symbol of loneliness, but also a representation of possibilities.
static noise
In this work, I painted my character lying on the ground wearing a bright pink ruffled top over a tight black shirt, along with wide jeans, a thick belt, and bulky, geometric shoes. Through the juxtaposition of the pink and the black, I hoped to highlight the changes in emotions.
At the same time, I wanted to use the partially transparent pink to signify how his happiness is fading away. By placing the dark blanket and pillow in the background, I wanted to reflect the loss of comfort.
To: Me in the Future
This piece was made to depict my character’s desire to return to his childhood where everything was full of color and happiness. The childish with a star in the middle of the shirt is a connection to how he was the star of everyone.
I drew the background in a childish style to reflect his dreams, and a house to show his sense of belonging. I also painted my character on paper and then glued it on to show that his dreams are still his dreams, and that he cannot go back in time.
UNFRAMED
For this piece, I first painted an imagery of my characters life, cut it out, and made an outfit out of it. In the painting, I drew how he had a horrible past, and he tried to escape from it and ignore it by seeming happy. By taking the painting and putting it on the character, I showed how he learned to accept his past and learn to be himself.
Through his pose, I showed him stepping forward into a new stage of his life. Even though he is not sure of the future, he is taking the first step.
YOU don’t know me
This piece is my character’s response to the people who attack him, saying that he is not who they think he is. He may seem innocent because of the white, the bold shoulders and boots state otherwise. The bag is full of his true emotions- phrases like WHY? are seen.
There is an eye on his shirt and a piece on his ear that shows how he can see and hear the truth behind those who he despises. Although the stand he is on makes him seem calm, the wave-like structures show irritation and anger.
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Chain
I used the rule of thirds to create the composition in this piece. The focal point of this piece is the defined chain because the chain behind is diffused, making the focal point much more defined chain much more focused.
The warm brown contrasts with the cool grey, the texture on the cool grey chain is emphasised by the warm brown. As well the warm brown helps lead the eye through the piece.
Chipped
This piece is something that I look at and see a lot of texture in. I chose to do this in coloured photography because it shows the value scale a lot better than when it is in black. And white. The chipped wood has a lot of texture that is so beautiful to look at.
The different value scale in the chipped wood make the texture so much more interesting because of the dark and light values. I love how the dot in the piece is not centered because it makes the composition much more interesting.
Circles
In the image of the tunnel, using the rule of thirds there is a large dark strip pointing to the focal point. The large strip is the darkest value, and it is pointing to the lightest value which is also the focal point. For the nut and bolt the composition used is arranged by the rule of thirds.
These images complement each other well because they have the same circular texture going around the tunnel and going around the nut.
Convey
This is a photograph of something random that is seen in majority of people’s everyday life. One thing that spoke to me in this artwork was the composition because there are many lines, that help lead the eye through the piece. There are also a lot of different textures in this piece which makes the piece so much more interesting.
I was inspired to create this piece because it was something that was just so basic and I wanted to create more levels in the colours and texture by getting very close and taking a photograph.
Horde
For this image I was very interested in how the bees were surrounding the geometric shape, giving the connection to the honeycomb. It’s funny because these are not bees, they are paper wasps, who don’t have a honeycomb they have a nest, but I really liked the juxtaposition of the dark organic bodies contrasting with the dark value.
I chose to do this in black and white because it shows the dark and light values better.
Lock
I chose these to put these 3 photos together because of the similar colours and angles in each one. I was focused on the element of line within each photo, I deliberately arranged these photos in this way so that the angles will help to move the viewers eye through the triptych.
The focal points of each photo encourage the viewers eye to move from bottom left, through the center to top right.
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Calla Explosion
Canvas and Acrylic pouring paint, 20 x 20
In this piece, I created an explosion of color by using a new painting technique. This painting technique was one of the most fun because I got to use ball chains to create the effect of each calla lily. The reason that this title was chosen was because each stroke on the painting is shaped like a calla lily. By using word play, I came to this title.
By pouring paint in sections over top of the ball chains, I placed them onto the canvas with the non-painted side bunched up at the end. I then pulled to create each stroke.
Fishyy
Resin and Acrylic, 12 x 12
Having an aquarium was something that I had always wanted ever since I was a kid, so this was something that I felt that I wanted to express. Although these are not fish, I had decided to give that aquarium look by using bugs. The bugs that are placed into each layer carefully and strategically give a visual effect no matter what angle it is viewed at. Looking closely at the piece, there is a lock hidden in this aquarium because it also gives a mystery box feeling which the hand plays into.
The reason that this title came to be is because this had become an inside joke in my family, I felt this was the best title.
Fishyy
Resin and Acrylic, 12 x 12
Having an aquarium was something that I had always wanted ever since I was a kid, so this was something that I felt that I wanted to express. Although these are not fish, I had decided to give that aquarium look by using bugs. The bugs that are placed into each layer carefully and strategically give a visual effect no matter what angle it is viewed at. Looking closely at the piece, there is a lock hidden in this aquarium because it also gives a mystery box feeling which the hand plays into.
The reason that this title came to be is because this had become an inside joke in my family, I felt this was the best title.
Nap Therapy
Cotton and Thumbtacks, 18 x 18
As this piece was created, I chose a pillow because it portrays the countless number of hours of wanting to nap in the during the day as a way of therapy but never actually going through with it. This is how I came up with the title nap therapy, with some inspiration from a friend.
When creating this piece, deciding what type of pins to use were the most important. This is because as the pillow is thin, the pins had to be hot glued down, but this was only possible with pins that had a circle head.
Quasi Una Fantasia
Photography, 11 x 16
In this photography piece, there is a fading effect of a moon and tree over top of the photo. The meaning behind this photo is that as we grew up from children to young adults, our relationship grew but also started to fade. That is what I tried to pursue with this diptych.
By using the effect of the moon in one photo, and the original photo seen as a memory in the past. The tree effect however is to represent the feeling of childhood and concept of the night. I chose this title to match the moonlight effect because this piano piece is also famously known as “Moonlight Sonata”.
Scyphozoa Hour
Canvas and Acrylic Pouring Paint, 10 x 20
As I was experimenting with different ways to paint, I discovered paint pouring which led me to this piece. By using a hair dryer to create the ocean effect, I was able experiment with different colors such as gold and different shades of blue. During this, a happy accident caused the jellyfish to come to life. As the purple paint landed on the canvas, I noticed it had a shape of a jellyfish cap.
The meaning behind this piece is the feeling of freedom in life. The reason this title came to be is because the real name for jellyfish is ‘scyphozoa’.
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Angry Angel
This first piece depicts a Gargoyle ready to attack. My intention in creating this piece is to explore our inner battle between anger and peace. The orange because combines red which represents our angry side and yellow which invokes the feeling of happiness. I hunched the back, positioned the body, arms and legs in a fighting stance to highlight the angry side and added angel wings to highlight the good side. Gomorrah the Gargoyle was my inspiration.
Inner Child
My intention in creating a playful baby dragon is to explore our inner child. I painted it purple because on the colour wheel it represents magic and creativity. To convey the feeling of playfulness I tilted the head to one side and raised the arms with palms facing outward because I wanted the observer to get the sense that the gargoyle is saying “Come on, have fun and be happy.” I was inspired by the Baby Dragon Gargoyle statues.
Past, Present and Future
My intention in creating this piece is to explore the multitude of emotions which can occur all at the same time. I added tears running down its cheeks and positioned the knees up towards his chin to show how as humans we are strong and vulnerable, and we can be in a state of contemplating our present circumstances, being worried about our future, while at the same time being sad about our past. I was inspired by Emmett the Gargoyle.
We are The Devil and The Angel.
My wanted to explore the concept of Good vs Evil hence a human face with devil horns. I elongated the toes and fingers to pay homage to the evil swamp monster and added angel wings to illustrate the good side. I painted the gargoyle blue because on the colour wheel blue represents peace and tranquility, and it’s opposite to red which represents power, aggression and violence. Hellion the Devil Gargoyle was the inspiration.
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Intermundium
I used watercolor to draw this transitional painting, “Intermundium”. This is a contrast between Hongkong now (left side) and Hongkong in my memory (right side). I included some Chinese culture components on the right side, but more western-style buildings on the left side. I wanted to highlight the change within a decade with contrast color and space. I also created layers to make the sense of crowds and prosperity.
Lake
I used acrylic paint to create this series of paintings “Lake” and “Under the Sun”. I have used colors that can represent the objects I am painting, such as the lake, the paddy field, the squares in the middle which represent the farming objects and fishing umbrellas people used. “Under the Sun” is a port scene in the dusk. I used orange to suggest the sunlight in the dusk and different colors of blocks to represent the boats.
Portrait of My Mother
This artwork is a portrait of my mother, which further investigates the use of colour. The lighting of the figure is from the front, which creates the warmest colour. I use a variety of colour on the face and contrast with the background. This art piece involves my strong feelings and also allows me to express my love to my mother.
Red Beauty
For this piece, I was interested in capturing the human figure with intense colour so I decided to create this artwork “Red Beauty”. The dark value in the volume makes her more contrapuntal that creates her balance on her right leg. The color scheme contrasts with the saturated art color and suggests light and shadow. The faded head and body suggest the illusionary message that I am trying to deliver.
Self-Portrait
This is a digital art self-portrait. I created this piece by using a sketch as the base. I chose to use color in the same hue to show the light and shadow part of my face and hair, such as orange, red, and pink white. I also used warm color to suggest the vividness and the soft emotion that I want to convey through the painting.
Under the Sun
I used acrylic paint to create this series of paintings “Lake” and “Under the Sun”. I have used colors that can represent the objects I am painting, such as the lake, the paddy field, the squares in the middle which represent the farming objects and fishing umbrellas people used. “Under the Sun” is a port scene in the dusk. I used orange to suggest the sunlight in the dusk and different colors of blocks to represent the boats.
Untitled
This artwork is a portrait of my mother, which further investigates the use of colour. The lighting of the figure is from the front, which creates the warmest colour. I use a variety of colour on the face and contrast with the background. This art piece involves my strong feelings and also allows me to express my love to my mother.
Click on an image to enlarge